Every NFL mock draft is fungible, and nobody is locked into anything in October. But it’s interesting to see perceptions changing about several key Texas players.
Several Longhorns are moving up College Football Report’s mock draft and the latest version poses an intriguing question: could Kelvin Banks Jr. be the No. 1 overall pick?
Banks was listed No. 1 overall on Monday going to the New England Patriots after being the fifth overall pick in CFR’s mock draft from week four. What moved Banks to No. 1? It’s unclear. The Longhorns (5-0, 1-0 SEC) were idle last weekend.
Banks is widely considered one of the top offensive linemen in the upcoming draft. And if the Horns keep winning in the SEC, the spotlight on him willy only grow.
In 32 career games, Banks has 32 career starts. From the moment Banks stepped on the UT campus, he was earmarked by NFL scouts as a future draft pick. The Horns are averaging 45 points per game having played two quarterbacks through five games. The left tackle is a huge reason why.
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: Follow A to Z Sports’ Texas Longhorns channel on YouTube.
But Banks isn’t alone. Right tackle Cam Williams shot up to No. 8 overall in CFR’s mock draft and going to the Miami Dolphins. He wasn’t in the first round in week four’s projections. Williams is most remembered for a rocky first quarter against Michigan. But he’s settled in and making an incredible bookend opposite Banks.
“My biggest thing when kind of evaluating our tackles is how well they communicate to the tight ends, and we really haven't had a whole lot of problems at all on the perimeter of our offensive line,” tight end Gunnar Helm said. “That gives credit to Kelvin, too. Kelvin and Cam. We work it in practice every day. Worked it a lot today. So I would say the communication is the biggest thing that stands out for both of them.”
Quarterback Quinn Ewers was slotted 14th overall, according to the mock draft, and going to the New York Giants. Ewers is expected to start Saturday against Oklahoma in the Red River rivalry after missing the last two games with a strained abdominal injury.
Receiver Isaiah Bond was slotted 20th overall with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hard to imagine Mike Tomlin wouldn’t be interested in one of the fastest receivers in college football.
Related: Known for Alabama’s ‘Gravedigger’ score, Texas football fans waking up to Isaiah Bond’s elite speed
And defensive back Jahdae Barron is working his way up draft boards. Barron was listed as the 32nd overall pick, the last pick of the first round, and going to the Minnesota Vikings. Barron is a multi-talented player who is playing a hybrid defensive back/linebacker position for the Longhorns.
If Texas keeps winning, more Longhorns will move up the draft boards. Again, it’s early October. But perceptions can easily become reality for top-five teams who make deep playoff runs.
Local News
Comments / 0